Mountain Man

"Mountain Man" Augustus Berry is a survivor in undead suburbia. He scavenges what he can from what's left over. He is very careful in what he does and where he goes, taking no chances, no unnecessary risks, and weighing every choice... until he decides to visit the hospital at the edge of town, and experiences terror the likes he's never encountered before. A short story of approximately 9500 words. The first story of the "Mountain Man" series. Contains language and graphic violence. If you enjoy this, check out the rest of the series.

After a long day of prepping a house for painting, all Gus Berry wanted was the night off to spend some time with his girlfriend and relax before having to return to work the next morning. But that isn’t going to happen. Because Gus’s co-worker Benny has found a one-night job at the local Mollymart East, a job that has to be done by morning. If Gus and his paint crew can complete the work by then, it could mean huge business with a respected, established grocery store chain.

It’s been a rough time for Gus Berry. He barely survived the city of Annapolis as its population underwent a violent transformation, leaving everyone he knew or loved either dead or undead. Things aren’t much better now, though. In fact, things might have become much worse. Living off the land, foraging for food, water, even medicine, and being able to adapt to a changing environment…it all takes a special individual, with an exceptional skill set and determination to survive. Gus Berry is not that individual.

Boomstick. Samurai bat. Motorcycle leather. And the will to live among the unliving. Augustus Berry lives a day-to-day existence comprised of waking up, getting drunk, and preparing for the inevitable day when "they" will come up the side of his mountain and penetrate his fortress. Living on the outskirts of a city and scavenging for whatever supplies remain after civilization died two years ago, Gus knows that every time he goes down into undead suburbia could be his last.

Boomstick. Samurai bat. Motorcycle leather. And the will to live amongst the unliving. Augustus Berry lives a day-to-day existence comprised of waking up, getting drunk, and preparing for the inevitable day when "they" will come up the side of his mountain and penetrate his fortress. Living on the outskirts of a city and scavenging for whatever supplies remain after civilization died two years ago, Gus knows that every time he goes down into undead suburbia could be his last.

Augustus Berry lives a day-to-day existence comprised of waking up, getting drunk, and preparing for the inevitable day when "they" will come up the side of his mountain and penetrate his fortress. Living on the outskirts of a city and scavenging for whatever supplies remain since the demise of civilization, Gus knows that his next visit to undead suburbia could be his last.

A serial killer stalks the ice-glazed streets. Half-frozen deadheads choke the avenues. Infected vermin rise from the labyrinth of sewer systems, hungry for warm flesh. And a handful of survivors struggle to escape and find someplace safe. In his hunt for Tenner, Scott discovers he must contend with all of this, before things truly get worse. Welcome. To Hellifax.

After nearly four years, the zombie epidemic has almost burnt itself out. Gus' new life on a communal farm is peaceful. The daily routine of policing the fields is rarely disrupted by straying undead. His drinking binges are over. Long days have thrown time over the memories of Annapolis. But this will all change.

On the island of Big Tancook, Collie Jones is making plans. She informs the islanders that it’s time to resume her original mission - to find other survivors, screen them, and return them to the island. Every survivor she brings back is one more valuable addition to the skill and gene pool. But first, she must return to the place whence she came. She must secure the elaborate government bunker called Whitecap and its vast stores of munitions within.

After securing the vast government bunker of Whitecap and learning of her affliction, Collie decides to head west to challenge the sinister road clan known as the Leather and kill its leader, the Dog Tongue. Along for the ride is Gus Berry, who knows full well the very thing that is killing Collie is also keeping her alive. His growing affection for the operator is only matched by his dislike of the one called Milo, the very man who shot her, who Collie insists on bringing along on their mission.